Ignition Issue 10 March 2013 Sign up to Ignition FREE Download Ignition Click here to contact us 155mpg, 48g/km: is this the future? We drive the world’s first plug-in diesel hybrid Fleet sales market share shrinks Registrations fall as private buyers are targeted by offers All the latest cars tested Reports include Toyota Rav4, Smart Fortwo EV, Kia Proceed FIRST UK DRIVE: VOLVO V60 PLUG-IN ● GO ● GO ● GO Car views and news by Fleet News
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IgnitionIssue 10 March 2013
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155mpg, 48g/km: is this the future? We drive the world’s first plug-in diesel hybrid
Fleet sales market share shrinks Registrations fall as private buyers are targeted by offers
All the latest cars tested Reports include Toyota Rav4, Smart Fortwo EV, Kia Proceed
FIRST UK DRIVE: VOLVO V60 PLUG-IN
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Car views and news by FleetNews
FIRST DRIVE
By Simon Harrisf you have had experience of a plug-in hybrid car yet, then you’ve been very lucky. Plug-in hybrids are meant to bridge the gap between an electric vehicle and filling up with fuel.The next major plug-in hybrid launch is the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid. It’s the
world’s first plug-in diesel hybrid production car, and uses Volvo’s 215bhp 2.4-litre D5 diesel engine. The car is actually badged D6 to signify the increase in performance when the electric motor is used in conjunction with the engine.A plug-in charge (taking around four-and-a-half hours from empty at a standard
domestic plug) will give the V60 up to 31 miles of pure electric range. Selecting pure mode will keep the battery power locked in, driving only the rear wheels.It will give the V60 enough acceleration to keep up with urban traffic, and is capable
of a maximum speed of 78mph. Selecting hybrid mode will allow a combination of the diesel engine and electric motor to drive the V60 – as long as there is charge in the battery. Power mode delivers maximum power from the electric motor and gives the car stronger acceleration than the petrol-powered V60 T6.A dashboard button can save battery power for future use. Even if the plug-in
charge is depleted, the battery will be charged by the engine when driving and store up to 12 miles of range for later.CO2 emissions of 48g/km mean the car will qualify for the ultra-low emission
NEED TO KNOW n World’s first production diesel plug-in hybridn 31 miles of plug-in rangen Up to 280bhp from diesel engine and electric motorn 2013 UK allocation already sold out
VOLVO V60 D6PLUG-IN HYBRID
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V60 D6 offers 155.2mpg combined fuel economy and 48g/km of CO2
FIRST PLUG-IN DIESEL HYBRID LAUNCHED
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vehicle rate of 5%. In theory it equates to 155.2mpg on the combined cycle, but that’s an unrealistic figure. Drivers using the electric motor for the vast majority of the time might exceed that figure, but prolonged use of the engine would see something more like (but perhaps slightly better than) a conventional car.The version of the V60 we drove has the original appearance, although Volvo’s
entire 60 range was shown as facelifted versions in last month’s Geneva Motor Show. A new-look V60 plug-in hybrid will appear in June.It is calling this version of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid a limited edition, with only 1,000
built. All have been pre-allocated and sold with 150 earmarked for the UK.A downloadable smartphone app gives drivers access to a wealth of information
and allows them to set climate control while the car is plugged into the mains to avoid draining the battery.D6's on-the-road price is a fairly steep £48,775, although it qualifies for the £5,000
plug-in car grant. Fleets that make use of the electric motor should see a saving, and drivers will benefit from low BIK tax payments. Employers will also see a modest NI payment for provision of the hybrid as a company car.Volvo has worked hard to ensure the transition between electric and diesel is
smooth, as well as harmonising both power units in conjunction with each other.The only major criticism is a harsh ride, particularly over low-speed bumps, even
on 17-inch wheels, which are small by high-performance car standards. The V60 – among a long list of standard equipment – comes with sports suspension, but in the case of the hybrid it would seem an unnecessary addition.The battery pack also means you sacrifice a little boot space, while the fuel tank
size has also been reduced to 45 litres, leaving it with a realistic range of 500 miles.
COSTSP11D price £48,720BIK tax band 5%Annual BIK tax (40%) £974Class 1A NIC £336Annual VED £0RV (4yr/40k) £12,675/26%Fuel cost (ppm) 4.1Running cost (4yr/40k) 103.65ppm
Stephen BriersThe 2.0-litre diesel front-wheel drive model emits just 127g/km (helped by the removal of the spare tyre) bringing it below the important 130g/km threshold for lease rental restrictions when the rules change in April.It handles well, with little body roll even under ‘enthusiastic’ driving and both the 2.0 and 2.2-litre diesel engines offer plenty of low-range torque.Drivers considering an SUV should give the Rav4 a chance. Fleets, too, should be comfortable adding this car to their choice lists.
Debbie WoodDespite tipping the scales at 130kg heavier than the diesel Smart Fortwo, the Electric Drive is still nimble and light despite the extra weight of the battery pack.Parking is easy in the Fortwo and boot space, albeit quite limited, is not far away from other small cars in the market, with 220 litres available.The interior has a quirky but refined design, the quality of materials is good and the controls are simple to use. The only major negative is the unadjustable steering wheel.
Maurice GloverUp-and-coming business executives will be targeted when the German firm’s sleek new CLA model goes into the showrooms in summer.With almost all the second-glance appeal of the £50,000 CLS, a starting price of half that amount gives the CLA range considerable potential with prestige-conscious drivers.The car that could inspire a fresh sales segment will have petrol and diesel engines with a choice of outputs but initially, only 1.6-litre petrol and 2.1-litre diesel power is available.
Toyota Rav4 2.0-litre D-4D FWD
Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Coupé
Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 CDI Sport
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Maurice GloverRobust performance comes from a revamped engine that is more subdued at all speeds and particularly relaxed at cruising speed.Black upholstery and headlining are backed by piano black fascia and door trims. Leather is used on the steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake.Kia believes a combination of sleek styling and comprehensive equipment will prevent the price hike from putting a brake on sales of the latest Proceed, the three-door version of the popular Ceed hatchback.
Simon HarrisThe 500L is being marketed as a larger version of the 500. It is, of course, no such thing. It is longer than the Punto and uses a new small car platform.The 500L does have a more upmarket feel than a typical small car, helped by the option of colour co-ordinated interior and low noise intrusion.Like the small 500 there’s a wide range of customization and options, and the 500L is the first car to offer an on-board Lavazza coffee maker as a factory option. A gimmick? Maybe.
Mazda6 2.2D 175 Sport
Kia Proceed 1.6 CRDi
Fiat 500L 1.6 M-Jet Lounge
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Simon HarrisFor the first time in the Mazda6, the fuel-saving features have been combined with a new energy regeneration technology called i-Eloop.While Mazda freely admits it can’t compete with the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz on brand image, it feels it’s in with a good shout on running costs even when looking at cars at the top end of the range.Most of these will spend the majority of their time on the motorway and the new Mazda6 is equally adept at that discipline of fleet life.
FLEE T SALES FIGURES
By Jay Nagley, Redspy Automotiveurrently, the most striking aspect of the fleet market is the decline in its share of the total market. In full year 2012 it fell 2.4 percentage points compared to 2011 (50.1% compared to 52.5%). Then in
January 2013 it fell by 2.5 percentage points (52.3% compared to 54.8%), and in February it fell by a remarkable 6.4 points (53.6% compared to 60.0%).The main reason seems to be a growth in the retail
sector led by heavy incentives. Private buyers can be persuaded by incentives to buy a new car. As car companies, especially mainland European ones, are desperate to sell cars in the UK in the face of the southern European collapse, they are prepared to increase discounts to increase sales. On the other hand, companies tend to work to
replacement cycles, so there is less of an opportunity to give the fleet market a sudden boost.The main driver of the fleet market is corporate
profitability and optimism about the future. Corporate profitability is not generally that bad, but optimism is in short supply. Faced with talk of a triple-dip reces-sion, not many corporations are looking to make long-term financial commitments. There is also the factor of “zombie companies” which are holding back
Companies show caution as manufacturers tempt retail buyers with offers
Fleet market share shrinks
the recovery. These are companies which are heavily in debt, but are being kept on life support by the banks who do not want to see them go bust. The banks don’t want to admit to the losses on these companies, so the companies carry on, selling their products at minimum margins and making life difficult for everyone else. Cynics might say there are one or two zombie car companies as well…At a manufacturer level, Vauxhall had a good month
(up 17%), but that is mostly because of a poor February 2012. A more interesting medium-term trend is the rise of Nissan (up 23.2% in February). Now up to fourth place, Nissan is in the unusual
position of having two successive smash-hit models: the Qashqai and the Juke. Peugeot has also got off to a strong start this year (up 10.8%), as the 208 gathers pace. France will be hoping for a lot more growth this year, as the UK is one of the few places in Europe it can try and sell more cars than last year. The biggest growth of all came from Land Rover
(up 147.3%) as ever more Evoques are delivered to user-choosers. However, Jaguar Land Rover will be just as concerned that the Jaguar XF 2.2 starts to deliver as well. The rise in February of 63% is certainly a start.
11 MANCHESTER Diesel 143.31Unleaded 137.08LPG 74.9
12 NORWICHDiesel 142.79Unleaded 136.01LPG 76.9**
13 OXFORD Diesel 145.33Unleaded 137.4LPG N/A
14 WATFORD Diesel 145.17Unleaded 137.01LPG N/A
For full UK fuel price figures Click here
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OUR FLEE T
By Stephen Briersyear ago the Volkswagen Passat took a double victory at Fleet News Awards, collecting both the upper medium car of the year and the reader-voted new company car of the year trophies. The judges said it was a “solid, reliable car which offers an up-
market image”. Four weeks into our long-term test of the Passat, it’s time to ask: is the car living
up to these lofty expectations? In short, yes – although not an unqualified success. The Passat has been an evergreen hit for Volkswagen with class-leading levels
of comfort, space and quality. The latest model adds in class-leading CO2 emis-sions with the BlueMotion 1.6TDI serving up an incredible 109g/km.Our 2.0-litre diesel test car doesn’t quite match those figures, but the combina-
tion of 140bhp, 119g/km CO2 and 61.4mpg is highly impressive.The first marker for any long-term Fleet News car is its ability to live up to the
official fuel consumption figures. So far, it has been found wanting, certainly as far as our daily 24-mile roundtrip commute is concerned. The current average of 47.7mpg is poor, although one longer trip saw the trip computer nudge 54mpg.However, the extremely cold weather has probably not helped; neither has the
fact that the Passat arrived box-fresh with just 100 delivery miles on the clock. Once it clicks into four figures, with a few longer-haul journeys to bed in the engine, we expect to see much improved fuel efficiency.
Class-competitive emissions but fuel consumption is disappointing so farVOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HIGHLINE
NEED TO KNOW n Low running costs n BlueMotion technology returns 119g/km
*Running cost data supplied by KeeResources (4yr/80k)
2.0 TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY
Passat was a double winner at last year's Fleet News awards
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COSTSP11D price £22,950BIK tax band (2013/14) 18%Annual BIK tax (20%) £807Class 1A NIC £557Annual VED £0 then £30RV (4yr/80k) £5,850/25.5%Fuel cost (ppm) 10.49AFR (ppm) 15Running cost (4yr/80k) 35.41ppm
By Simon Harrise recently took delivery of a new Mazda6 – a car we have driven a couple of times at Fleet News and one that stacks up very well on paper against rivals.The CO2 emissions, which are 108g/km on the 150bhp
diesel saloon, are lower than less powerful economy-focused rivals but in the Mazda6 you don’t have to sacrifice performance. Its 0-62mph time of nine seconds is the same as for the BMW 318d.Our test car uses the standard power diesel with the high-specification
Sport equipment grade – sitting above SE and SE-L. It has a TomTom touch-screen navigation system fitted too which, although it is effectively an option, is counted as a Sport Nav variant for valuation purposes on the used market.The Mazda6 has been praised for retaining much of the sleek appearance
of the Takeri concept car that inspired it, and in this Sport model perhaps more so with 19-inch alloy wheels and ‘soul red’ metallic paint (the latter a £660 option – more expensive than the rest of the metallic palette at £520).This car has an autonomous emergency braking system to protect against
low-speed accidents. Other standard features include leather seats, electri-cally adjustable and heated in the front, bi-xenon headlamps with a cornering function, reversing camera and Bose premium audio system.All these factors combined to edge out the formidable Volkswagen Passat
and be named best upper medium car in the 2013 Fleet News Awards. Over the next 12 months we will be finding out if it proves as impressive to live with as expected given its success so far.
Competitive CO2 emissions without performance being sacrificed
NEED TO KNOW n Class-leading CO2 per bhpn Styling resembles sleek Takeri conceptn Fleet News Award winner
*Running cost data supplied by KeeResources (4yr/80k)
2.2 D 150 SPORT NAV
MAZDA6
Mazda6 retains the sleek lines of the
Takeri concept car
COSTSP11D price £25,540BIK tax band 16%Annual BIK tax (20%) £817Class 1A NIC £564Annual VED £0 then £30RV (4yr/80k) £6,075 / 24%Fuel cost (ppm) 9.35AFR (ppm) 18Running cost (4yr/80k) 39.67ppm
By Sarah Toozen the short time that the C-Class has been on our fleet I’ve been won over by its looks. It has a younger, sportier image than its predecessor thanks largely to Mercedes-Benz’s decision to make the grille from its Sport models standard on the Executive SE. Drivers can still opt for the traditional bonnet-mounted three-pointed star if
they wish but it’s now part of a £2,000 luxury pack.The C-Class’s interior impresses, particularly the Artico upholstery, which could
be mistaken for soft leather and should lift resale values at defleet time. There’s also a high level of safety equipment including ESP with acceleration skid
control, attention assist (which checks for driver fatigue) and Pre-Safe. Although the C-Class’s looks and technology have impressed, there have been
a few niggles on the driving front. We’ve opted for the manual which has CO2 emissions of 109g/km (on a par
with the very lowest BMW can offer in the 3 Series range) but changing gears can be awkward. Given the choice again I would be tempted to go for the automatic especially as
it now has emissions of 114g/km (just one tax band above the manual). I’m also not a fan of the parking brake, which seems antiquated in comparison
to the rest of the C-Class’s image. Fortunately, the adaptive braking system’s hold function means that use of the
parking brake can be kept to a minimum.
NEED TO KNOW n Sportier image than predecessor n Parking brake seems antiquated
*Running cost data supplied by KeeResources (4yr/80k)
C-Class has a high level of safety equipment
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COSTSP11D price £28,605BIK tax band 15%Annual BIK tax (40%) £1,167Class 1A NIC £1,716Annual VED £0 then £20RV (4yr/80k) £8,175/29%Fuel cost (ppm) 9.35AFR (ppm) 18Running cost (4yr/80k) 39.46ppm
Sportier image and stylish interior prove a winning combination
C220 CDI EXECUTIVE SE
MERCEDES C-CLASS
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By John Maslenhen Honda first launched the Civic, the focus was on its looks: its brave fashion statement ensured it stood out in a crowded and competitive sector.But times change and while it is still a world away from
competitors on looks, the focus is now on making vehi-cles as efficient as possible, particularly when it comes to CO2 emissions.Our latest long-termer is Honda’s showcase of what it is able to do with
diesel technology. The new 1.6 i-DTEC fitted to our test car puts the manufacturer very firmly
back in the game. Assembled in the UK, the diesel engine is the first new powerplant to be
launched in Europe under Honda’s flagship Earth Dreams Technology envi-ronmental programme and has been specifically designed to appeal to corporate customers.Emissions of just 94g/km put the Civic in the 13% BIK tax band for diesels
this year, give it £0 VED and qualifies for 100% first-year capital allowances. But power doesn’t suffer at the hands of economy and the Honda can
produce 120bhp and 221lb-fit of torque at 2,000rpm, outgunning key rivals. On the road, the engine lives up to its promises, delivering smooth and
lively performance, reminiscent of a petrol engine in its rev-happy nature.
New diesel engine powers Honda firmly back into the game
NEED TO KNOW n Achieves 94g/km n Built in the UK
COSTSP11D price £22,090 as testedBIK tax band 13%Annual BIK tax (20%) £548Class 1A NIC £378Annual VED £0RV (4yr/80k) £6,275/29%Fuel cost (ppm) 8.2AFR (ppm) 12Running cost (4yr/80k) 30.19ppm
*Running cost data supplied by KeeResources (4yr/80k)
By Maurice Gloverransmission ratios are playing an increasingly important role in the motor industry’s quest to wring the most from every gallon.But driving can be a chore when manufacturers specify ratios so
high that anything but cruising on flat and open motorways calls for constant use of the gear lever.
Happily, that doesn’t seem to be the case with our Renault Megane Sport Tourer, because even though it mates a modest-output engine with a six-speed gearbox featuring one of the ‘tallest’ ratios available, the car is surprisingly good to drive. Of course, the unit in question is the 1.5-litre dCi, the best-seller that went under the bonnets of 1.2 million Renaults last year and now, following a thorough engi-neering makeover, has also been adopted by Mercedes-Benz for the new A-Class.Geared so highly that the speedometer needle reads 37mph with the engine
spinning at just 1,000rpm in top you’d be forgiven for thinking this Megane is a sluggard for most of the time. But you’d be wrong. Even though it has only 110bhp on tap, the revamped unit behaves in a lively fashion as long as it is kept spinning over the 1,500rpm mark to get the full benefit of the turbo. After more than 10,000 miles, I’ve had plenty of time to appreciate the finesse of
the latest dCi unit and understand why it was chosen to power a car produced by one of the world’s best-known premium manufacturers. The smoothest of operators, it makes little noise and remains largely inaudible most of the time, being particularly relaxed and restful on long journeys for which it is ideally suited.
Smooth operator proves ideally suited for long journeysRENAULT MEGANE
NEED TO KNOW n Test fuel economy of 60mpg n High level of refinement
*Running cost data supplied by KeeResources (4yr/80k)
SPORT TOURER 1.5DCI DYNAMIQUE
Megane's power unit has been adopted by Mercedes-Benz for its new A-Class
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COSTSP11D price £20,890BIK tax band 13%Annual BIK tax (20%) £543Class 1A NIC £375Annual VED £0RV (4yr/80k) £4,125/20%Fuel cost (ppm) 7.98AFR (ppm) 12Running cost (4yr/80k) 32.6ppm
here’s a lot to like about the all-new Audi A3, but a 35% short-fall on a official combined figure of 68.8mpg isn’t one of them. Audi has redesigned the A3 from the ground up and, thanks to its ultra-lightweight construction, it has produced a car 80kg lighter than its predecessor.
The weight-saving measures mean on paper our test version – the 2.0 TDI (148bhp) SE – boasts impressive emissions of 106g/km of CO2, while the less powerful (105PS) 1.6 TDI achieves an even better 99g/km. That equates to a an official fuel figure of 74.3mpg for the 1.6 diesel variant, while our 2.0-litre version quotes a combined figure of 68.9mpg.However, despite covering several hundred miles in town and on the
motorway, we haven’t managed to improve on the 48.4mpg achieved last month, which was a 30% shortfall on quoted figures. Quite the opposite in fact, new figures now reveal an even worse figure of 44.8mpg.It’s important to stress that driving style will have a large part to play in
what is achievable in any car. Harsh braking and acceleration will result in more fuel being burned. However, driving style is typically expected to account for a 15% shortfall on quoted combined figures, which should equate to an achievable 58.6mpg – not our 44.8mpg.It means a company car driver would still receive £6.72 for each gallon of
diesel burned reflecting an average pump price of £6.60. So the driver won't be out of pocket on those figures. But for fleets providing drivers with a fuel card, they could find fuel spend significantly higher than they had anticipated.
35% shortfall on official combined mpg figures is cause for concern
NEED TO KNOW n 2.0-litre diesel achieves 106g/km n Official fuel economy of 68.9mpgn Test fuel economy of 48.4mpg
*Running cost data supplied by KeeResources (4yr/80k)
2.0 TDI SE
AUDI A3
A3 is 80kg lighter than its predecessor
Click here for previous A3 road tests
COSTSP11D price £21,450BIK tax band 15%Annual BIK tax (20%) £644Class 1A NIC £444Annual VED £0 then £20RV (4yr/80k) £7,375 / 34%Fuel cost (ppm) 9.35AFR (ppm) 15Running cost (4yr/80k) 31.01ppm
By Debbie Woodeing only 5ft 2in, I rarely get the experience to feel taller than everyone else, so driving the ASX and having a higher seating position is still quite a novelty. I must admit I feel rather smug towering over other drivers.SUVs have been growing in popularity over the past few years
and the ASX can sometimes be overlooked in a very crowded sector. Our long-termer, the 3 1.8 Diesel 4WD, is a solid all-round performer. It
is easy to drive and manoeuvres well in all environments. The steering is light and the engine has enough performance to satisfy most with 114bhp and a 0-62mph time of 10.6 seconds. There is very little to criticise. Mitsubishi has created an economical car
that looks good and offers value for money with some impressive equipment. The surroundings are comfortable and spacious and my only real negative
would be the lack of engine refinement, which can be noisy at times.The official economy figure of 54.3mpg, although not class-leading, is
achievable if I knuckle down on eco driving. However, a more realistic figure for everyday driving would be between 43mpg and 47mpg.After only two months with our ASX long termer, it is time to hand the
keys over to a colleague and, for me, adjust to being short again.
Commanding driving position adds to appeal of solid all-rounder
NEED TO KNOW n Spacious and well-built interior n Good value for money
COSTSP11D price £22,749BIK tax band 21%Annual BIK tax (20%) £955Class 1A NIC £659Annual VED £120RV (4yr/80k) £5,900/26%Fuel cost (ppm) 11.86ppmAFR (ppm) 18Running cost (4yr/80k) 37.29ppm
*Running cost data supplied by KeeResources (4yr/80k)
By Luke Nealhe Exeo ST will shortly be leaving Fleet News after its nine-month, 10,760-mile stint. The reason for its premature departure is that production of the ST will continue only until late May when it will be removed from the current Seat line-up. The saloon version ceases production at the end of this month.
The Exeo was a quick and easy entry into the mainstream D-segment with Seat choosing to facelift an old model Audi A4 rather than going though the expense of developing its own car. While spec levels and build quality were high, the old underpinnings were still evident in other areas. It will be replaced by the Leon ST due out later this year which is expected
to offer greater interior space.In the meantime, the Exeo ST continues in its day-to-day work. The effort-
less Multitronic auto box is still providing huge enjoyment and I have now come to terms with the lower than expected fuel economy. As expected, the Exeo has performed faultlessly during its time with us and is still looking and feeling as good as the day it arrived. Excellent build quality will see this car through many more miles of relatively trouble-free motoring,The exit of the Exeo will make way for new models in the Seat line-up
which promise to offer striking new designs, class-leading technology and more efficient and cleaner engines.
Faultless performer to depart as plug is pulled on Exeo production
NEED TO KNOW n High levels of equipmentn Excellent build quality
*Running cost data supplied by KeeResources (4yr/80k)
2.0 TDI SPORT TECH MULTITRONIC
SEAT EXEO ST
Exeo will be replaced by the Leon ST
Click here for previous Exeo tests
TCOSTSP11D price £26,260BIK tax band 23%Annual BIK tax (20%) £1,208Class 1A NIC £833Annual VED £135RV (4yr/80k) £5,558Fuel cost (ppm) 12.5AFR (ppm) 15Running cost (4yr/80k) 42.51ppm
Audi switches on to digital radioAlready factory-fitted to A8 models, digital radio reception is to become standard across most Audi ranges for the 2014 model year.Digital radio also opens up considerably more
stations to Audi owners – the official UK governing body Digital Radio UK estimates that on average most listeners will be able to receive 20 more in addition to their FM favourites.As with household digital radio receivers, the
system will not only display these station names when selected, but also the name of each track of music played and the artist or band performing it.
O’Shea appointed Volkswagen head of fleet
Volkswagen has appointed Michael O’Shea as its new head of fleet with immediate effect.O’Shea, previously
national fleet sales manager, replaces Vince Kinner who takes charge of a newly-created group
fleet function covering Volkswagen’s five main brands – Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen and Volkswagen commercial vehicles.It is one of a number of internal structural
changes which are designed primarily to enhance customer experience through maximising group-wide synergies and reducing duplication in administration and systems development.Kinner will focus on consolidating the back
office functions that have been independently developed by each of the brands, such as IT, invoicing and contacts database. It should make each brand “simpler to do business with”, said a spokeswoman.
Mirage offer to benefit fleetsA sizeable discount offer aimed at generating retail interest in a new Mitsubishi small car is being made available to fleet buyers.Trimming £1,000 from the price of all models in
the Mirage hatchback range, the launch deal is proving so popular in the showrooms that it has already been extended to cover registrations over the next three months. “This is a significant saving on a vehicle that carries competitive pricing in the first place and there’s no reason why fleets can’t benefit from it,” said Mitsubishi Motors managing director Lance Bradley.
Renault could perform U-turn on leased battery policyRenault boss Carlos Tavares has revealed he is prepared to drop a controversial plan to lease batteries for the electric cars his company aims to market in Britain.In an exclusive interview with Fleet News, the
French group’s chief operating officer pledged he would authorise a move to include battery packs in vehicle purchase pricing if customers prefer it.The possibility of a U-turn on battery lease was
welcomed by Martin Ward, manufacturer relations manager at CAP Monitor, who has refused to make retained value predictions on Renault EV products for the past three years.
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Jaguar Land Rover’s global sales rise 3% in February Jaguar Land Rover sold 26,855 vehicles during February 2013, an increase of 3% versus the same period last year.Sales for the brand for the first two months of the
year were up 18% with 61,732 vehicles sold.February sales were up in almost every major
market: 20% in Asia Pacific, 20% in North America, 15% in the UK, and 6% in Europe.In China, sales were down by 22% reflecting the
Chinese New Year falling in February this year and January last year.
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E.On chooses Toyota hybridsEnergy company E.On, whose field engineers already use Toyota Hilux pick-ups, has chosen the Auris hybrid for its venues and events teams.Twelve of the cars were recently handed over to
E.On at Toyota’s Burnaston factory in Derbyshire, home of Auris Hybrid production.Marco Mazzafiore, system support manager at
E.On, said: “We’re committed to helping our own customers reduce their energy use, saving them money on their bills and lowering carbon emissions, and we’re keen to do the same within our field sales fleet."
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Average new car emissions tumble The number of VED-free, sub-100g/km cars rocketed in 2012, more than doubling their share of the market to 8.2%, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).This trend towards low emissions and maximum
fuel efficiency was reflected by the number of cars registered with CO2 emissions of less than 130g/km.This emission level is the target average limit set
by Europe for manufacturers to achieve by 2015 and last year more than half the market (55.4%) met the level or improved on it.Analysis of the emissions of all new cars
registered in the UK showed a continued trend in falling CO2 and improving fuel efficiency. Emissions in 2012 improved 3.6% year-on-year to
133.1g/km CO2, down more than 26% since the year 2000.
Hyundai to shift focus on to improving fleet offeringHyundai is expecting modest growth in the fleet market in 2013 after a meteoric rise that has seen it overtake some well-established brands in the past four years.The Korean brand’s growth in the UK has
exceeded its performance overall in Europe and globally. But now, after a busy year for product launches, Hyundai will look to consolidate the efforts of previous years before new products drive further growth in 2014.The company’s fleet team in the UK has grown
from nine people a few years ago to 25 in 2013, and Hyundai’s recently-appointed fleet director Martin Wilson has overseen much of the company’s corporate sales success as national fleet sales manager.
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FLEE T NE WS AWARDS 2013
FLEET AWARDS
Fleet of the yearup to 250 vehicles
sponsored by Auto WindscreensWinner GE Capital
Fleet of the year 251-500 vehicles
sponsored by Volkswagen Fleet Winner RhodarHighly commended Gloucestershire Constabulary
Fleet of the year 501-1,000 vehicles
sponsored by Hertz Van RentalWinner Ashfield In2Focus
Fleet of the year 1,001-plus vehicles
sponsored by Honda UKWinner Rentokil Initial
Safe fleet of the yearsponsored by FMGWinner LOCOGHighly commended Balfour Beatty Fleet Services
Green fleet of the yearsponsored by Lex AutoleaseWinner Addison LeeHighly commended Commercial Group
Cost saving initiative of the year
sponsored by ZenithWinner BT Fleet
Fleet News Awards 2013 roll of honour Who is the best in fleet? All the winners are named here
Grey fleet of the yearsponsored by SewellsWinner Countryside Council for Wales
MANUFACTURER AWARDS
Best small carWinner Ford FiestaHighly commended Audi A1
Best lower medium carWinner Volkswagen GolfHighly commended Ford FocusVolvo V40
Best upper medium carWinner Mazda6Highly commended Volkswagen Passat
Best all-round 4x4Winner Land Rover DiscoveryHighly commended Toyota Land Cruiser
Best full size peoplecarrier
Winner Vauxhall Zafira TourerHighly commended Ford S-MaxToyota Prius+
Best crossoverWinner Range Rover EvoqueHighly commended Mazda CX-5
Best premium carWinner BMW 3 Series
Best executive carWinner BMW 5 Series
Ultra-low CO2 carWinner Nissan Leaf
Green fleet manufacturersponsored by Stobart AutomotiveWinner Ford Motor CompanyHighly commended BMW (UK)
Most improved fleet manufacturer
sponsored by Stobart AutomotiveWinner Ford Motor CompanyHighly commended Hyundai Motor UK
SUPPLIER AWARDS
Leasing company of the yearsponsored by In-Car ClevernessWinner ZenithHighly commendedLeasedriveLeasePlan
Best short-term rental company
Winner Europcar GroupHighly commended Hertz UK
Customer service awardsponsored by Skoda UKWinner LeasePlanHighly commended Leasedrive
Best new product or servicesponsored by SewellsWinner Zenith for its Pulse MI software systemHighly commendedARI Fleet UK for ARI Analytics
HEADLINE AWARDS
Fleet manager of the yearsponsored by FMGWinner Justin Patterson, MITIEHighly commendedLorna McAtear, E.OnEstelle Howick, Pfizer
Supplier of the yearsponsored by Toyota and Lexus Fleet ServicesWinner The Automobile AssociationHighly commended Holdcroft Motor Group
New company car of the year
sponsored by LeasePlanWinner BMW 3 Series
Fleet manufacturer of the year
sponsored by KeeResourcesWinner BMW (UK)
Fleet News Hall of famesponsored by Seat UKWinner David Graham
FIRSTDRIVE
OUR FLEET
FUELPRICES
TESTED THIS MONTH
COMING SOON
FLEET NEWS AWARDS
CARMAKER NEWS
SALES FIGURES
975 bottles of wine drunk
during the evening
1,519 Number of guests,
a record
1Number of broken
trophies on the night
9,864 pieces of crockery used during dinner
£94,000the food bill for the
three-course evening meal
£16,419 money raised for Marie Curie
this year – another record.
TESTED THIS MONTH
Future model launches and the key facts to win fleet interest
Coming soon...
Suzuki SX4 Crossover On sale: start of Quarter 4, 2013What’s new? Gives Suzuki its first presence in key fleet C-sector. Crossover claims class-leading luggage space and low emissions.Price (est): from £16,000 (2WD) and £24,000 (4WD)Engines: 1.6-litre diesel; 1.6-litre petrolCO2 emissions: 110g/km (2WD diesel); 125g/km (2WD petrol)Sales target: 2,000 this year, with fleet around 800. Next year, 7,000 with fleet taking 40%
Volkswagen Golf GTDOn sale: September 2013What’s new? Hot diesel version with greater performance and improved efficiency and with a new six-speed manual gearbox.Price (est): from £25,000Engines: 2.0-litre 181bhp turbodiesel engineEfficiency: 67.3mpg and 109g/km CO2
Performance: 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds; top speed of 142mph
Lexus IS300hOn sale: July 2013What’s new? Lexus describes its IS300h hybrid as a “massive game-changer”, helping to connect its range for fleet customers. It will compete on price with the BMW 3 Series. The battery placement gives a lower centre of gravity for improved driving performance and a luggage capacity identical to the petrol IS.Price: from £26,495CO2 emissions: from 99g/kmResidual value forecast: 38% over three years/60,000 miles.
FIRSTDRIVE
OURFLEET
FUELPRICES
TESTED THIS MONTH
COMING SOON
FLEET NEWS AWARDS
CARMAKER NEWS
SALES FIGURES
BMW 3 Series GTOn sale: Summer 2013What’s new? This hatchback/estate crossover promises to be more luxurious and spacious than the 3 Series Touring on which it is based. Engines Diesel range includes 318d and 320d Efficiency: 318d should be the most frugal at 62.8mpg
Toyota Auris Sports TouringOn sale: Summer 2013What’s new? The Auris Sports Touring will major on low CO2 emissions and practicality. Engines: 1.3-litre/1.6-litre petrol; 1.4 D-4D diesel; 1.8 hybridPrice: £15,595-22,845CO2 emissions: from 85g/km (hybrid)
Toyota ProAceOn Sale: August 2013What’s new? The ProAce is a rebadged Peugeot Expert. The Toyota variant will come with the familiar family face and a choice of two vehicle lengths and two heights. Loading and unloading is made simpler thanks to the choice of either one or two sliding doors at the side, and via a top-hinged tailgate or dual-split doors with 270° opening at the rear.
Ford Tourneo CustomOn sale: Summer 2013What’s new? The passenger version of the Transit Custom should attract businesses. It comes in eight- and nine-seat configurations. Engines: 2.2-litre diesel with 99bhp, 123bhp or 153bhpRivals: Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle and Fiat Scudo Passenger Transport
Nissan Note On sale: September/October 2013What’s new? New car set to hit mainstream B-sector – aiming at Ford Fiesta territory. Price (est): starting from £11,625Engines: revised 1.5-litre diesel and two 1.2-litre petrol enginesCO2 emissions: diesel 95g/km, petrol 99g/km
